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The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) together with Northern Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development launched Arbor Week with the planting of fruit trees and the establishment of various vegetable gardens in Platfontein, outside Kimberley, Northern Cape, today.

This year’s Arbor Week theme, “Our Forests – Our Future”, saw about 2 000 fruit trees being planted and distributed. A communal vegetable garden, aimed at alleviating poverty and ensuring food security in the impoverished community of Platfontein was established. Two-hundred households were also assisted with vegetable seed packs and seedlings.

The MEC for Land Reform and Rural Development, Norman Shushu, unveiled a memorial plaque at the Galeshewe Stadium on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, and planted olive trees to commemorate all people who dedicated their lives to the liberation, nation building and community upliftment in the Northern Cape.

“These fruit trees will complement the gardens on food security, whereas the indigenous shade trees will be used for greening and to promote environmental conservation, development and biodiversity in this area,” Shushu said.

Christian Des Closieres, Managing Director of Total South Africa, the corporate sponsor for Arbor Week, said they believe that the country’s natural heritage is one of its greatest assets, but also recognizes that many of Africa’s beautiful spaces and diverse species are under threat.

“Our environmental focus area provides a vehicle through which the company carries out its commitment to preserving the natural environment for future generations. Our focus on environmental conservation includes the preservation of marine and land-based biodiversity and natural habitats and a range of urban greening projects that aim to beautify the areas in which our communities live,” said Des Closieres.

South Africa will be celebrating Arbor Week from 1-7 September to raise awareness about the importance and value of trees in our lives.

Arbor Day was originally celebrated by South Africa in 1983. The South African Government extended the celebration of Arbor Day into National Arbor Week. This year, the campaign is taking place in line with International Year of the Forests as declared by the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

During National Arbor Week we recognise the importance of trees in our communities and encourage awareness of the need to protect our indigenous trees. By planting trees in communities we are also helping to mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change.

Trees can beautify the community and promote biodiversity by providing diverse habitats and also promote sustainable living by providing food, shade and oxygen. To this end, National Arbor Week supports Government’s priority to protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources (Outcome 10).

Another highlight of the event was the awarding of prizes to the winners of the Arbor City Award. The Arbor City Award is a competition that was introduced to promote the greening of cities and towns in South Africa.

The local municipality and the metropolitan municipality that won the competition in their respective categories are Khara Hais Municipality (Upington) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The winners received a cash prize of R300 000 each, a trophy and certificate.